Rotary Cylindrical Device With Coupled Pairs of Pistons

ABSTRACT

This invention is a cylindrical rotary power device, usable as and convertible to a rotary internal combustion engine, pump, and/or compressor. The device incorporates an ingenious design and composition utilizing bilateral symmetry to minimize power losses and maximize efficiency. It operates with a minimum of moving parts which can be manufactured at relatively low cost and readily maintained. Also, the power device of the present invention is readily converted to an internal combustion engine by merely removing the external power source and providing fuel flow and ignition charge to the cylinders.

The present application is a Continuation In Part of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 11/483,237 filed Jul. 7, 2006, which application isincorporated in its entirety herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to rotary power devices and more particularly torotary internal combustion engines, pumps and compressors.

There have been many attempts to devise an efficient, axially alignedrotary power device. One such device was described in U.S. Pat. No.6,601,548. The '548 patent discloses an array of parallel pistonsarranged around a central shaft, with a system of roller cam followersto transmit power to the central shaft.

US Published Patent Application 2002/020,171 discloses a rotary powerdisplacement fluid machine, with an eccentrically mounted central rotorand an array of axially-arranged vanes.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,209,190 describes an open-ended hosing with a centralrotor assembly and parallel cylinder elements around the central shaft.

U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,782,866, 6,684,825, 6,672,275, and 6,484,687 describe arotary machine and thermal cycle. This device does not use a compressivepiston stroke, but instead uses and expansion ring and gear to generatepressure.

US Published Patent Application 2005/166,889 describes a rotary devicewith coupled chamber halves and a drive disk plate.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention is a cylindrical rotary power device, usable as andconvertible to a rotary internal combustion engine, pump and compressor.The device incorporates an ingenious design and composition utilizingbilateral symmetry to minimize power losses and maximize efficiency.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a rotary powerdevice both as an internal combustion engine and for compressing andpumping fluids.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved rotary aircompressor which maximizes output as compared to conventional pumps andcompressors.

Another object of the invention is to provide in a single unit an engineand a compressor.

Another object of the invention a rotary power device which is readilyconvertible between an internal combustion engine and a pump orcompressor.

Another object of the invention is to provide a rotary power devicehaving relatively few parts.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a rotary powerdevice having valveless ports which are substantially equal in diameterto the diameter of the pistons of the rotary device so as to reduceresistance to fluid inflow and outflow.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will beapparent from the following detailed description and from the recital ofthe appended claims, particularly when read in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

The above and other aspects, features and advantages of the presentinvention will be more apparent from the following more particulardescription thereof, presented in conjunction with the followingdrawings wherein:

FIG. 1 reveals a perspective view of a rotary power transfer devicedesigned in accordance with the present invention and having a portionof the outer housing cut away for purposes of illustration;

FIG. 2 displays a frontal view of the outer face of the power transferdevice of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view taken along line 3-4 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 shows a side sectional view taken along line 3-4 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4A shows a side sectional view of a preferred embodiment of thepresent invention which comprises an internal combustion engine takenalong line 3-4 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4B shows a side sectional view of a preferred embodiment of thepresent invention which comprises an internally powered pump taken alongline 3-4 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 comprises an exploded perspective view of the major components ofthe power transfer device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 comprises an exploded perspective view of a piston and bearingconnector of the power transfer device designed in accordance with thepresent invention;

FIG. 7 demonstrates a side view of the assembled piston from the partsshown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 indicates a view from the perspective of the crankshaft of theassembled piston of FIG. 7, and rotated 90 degrees therefrom.

FIG. 9 displays an exploded perspective view of the crankshaft and powertrain of the power transfer device designed in accordance with thepresent invention;

FIG. 10 demonstrates a side view of the assembled power train of FIG. 9;and,

FIG. 11 displays a side view of the assembled power train of FIG. 10,and rotated 90 degrees therefrom.

FIG. 12 shows an embodiment of the present invention having parallelcoupled pistons according to the present invention.

FIG. 13 shows a perspective view of one of the parallel coupled pistonsaccording to the present invention.

FIG. 14 shows a side view of a single parallel coupled pistons accordingto the present invention in relationship to a crankshaft and one end ofthe stationary block containing cylinders.

FIG. 15 shows a top view of the single parallel coupled pistonsaccording to the present invention in relationship to the crankshaft andone end of the stationary block containing cylinders.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding componentsthroughout the several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following description is of the best mode presently contemplated forcarrying out the invention. This description is not to be taken in alimiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of describing one ormore preferred embodiments of the invention. The scope of the inventionshould be determined with reference to the claims.

In the accompanying FIGS. 1-11, for the purposes of illustrating theprincipals of this invention, there is disclosed a rotary powergeneration and transfer device. It will be understood, that variousfeatures of this invention, particularly the input and output of thereciprocating pistons and the translation of reciprocating motion torotary motion and vice versa, have utility and may be successfullyemployed with a variety of operational devices, as for example, withpumps, steam engines, internal combustion engines, and the like.

Referring to FIGS. 1-11, the rotary power device of the presentinvention, shown generally as 100, includes an outer piston and cylinderblock assembly, an inner power train sleeve, and a crankshaft. Thecrankshaft can be rotatably powered by the pistons, acting in aninternal combustion engine mode as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B.Alternatively, the crankshaft can be externally powered from an externalpower source (not shown), thereby powering the cylinders in a reversemode as shown in FIG. 3. Powered in this fashion, the current inventioncan operate as a pump.

A perspective view of the outer surface of the preferred embodiment ofthe current invention is displayed in FIG. 1. Seen in this figure is thebasic piston and cylinder block of the current invention, arranged in apreferred cylindrical array. The block itself is comprised of twosimilar or identical half-blocks 10, which mate together at their basesvia a component central ring 15. A series of apertures 18 appear aroundthe ring. These are disposed for placement of bolts or other connectorsto join the halves 10 together to form a completed block. Inside theblock is the crankshaft 30, axially disposed along the centerline of theblock.

FIG. 2 displays the block 10 from an end-on view. The block 10 containsa variety of apertures comprising cylinders 8, fastener apertures 18,and large central aperture 50. The cylinders 8, of course, are thehousings for the pistons, as shown in later figures. The centralaperture 50 is the home of the power train, also shown later. A total of6 cylinders, and thus 6 pistons are displayed, although other numbers,for instance 4 or eight cylinder and piston pairs are contemplated.

It will be noted that these cylinders 8 have an oval cross section. Thisis not required, and other geometric shapes, for instance a circularcross section, are contemplated. However, tests have indicated that theoval shape provides better power per cylinder bore size, and thus ispreferred in the current embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 reveals an open sectional view of the current invention, withboth cylinder block and power train components on display. Two of thepistons 60 are shown, in operational position. These are connected tothe power train by bearing pins 63. The power train comprises crankshaft30, bearing seals 75, bearings 73, and power sleeves 70. The two powersleeves 70 do not connect, but instead are separated by a curved powertrack 80 having constant width. As the pistons move up and down withintheir cylinders, they are connected to the power train via the bearingpins 63 which mate to the curved power track 80. Thus, crankshaft 30, ifexternally powered as shown in FIG. 3, can transmit power via the curvedpower track 80 and pins 63 in reverse direction, forcing pistons 60 tomove up and down. This is useful, for example, to create a pump.Alternatively, if the pistons are operating in internal combustion modeas shown in FIG. 4A, they will transmit power via pins 63 to the curvedpower track 80, forcing the curved power track 80, the power sleeves 70,and the entire power train including crankshaft 30 to rotate around thelong axis, or if operating on one side as in FIG. 4B, the opposing sidemay be used as a pump. Power sleeves 70 have a hollow hollow cylinderbody portion 81 shown in FIGS. 3, 5, and 9.

FIGS. 4A and 4B show the same section view of FIG. 3, from a side planview when the pistons are operating in an internal combustion mode. Incontrast to FIG. 4 a, in which all of the pistons are operating in theinternal combustion mode, FIG. 4B shows an embodiment of the presentinvention in which the right side of the engine is operating in theinternal combustion mode and the left side of the engine is operating asa pump or compressor, with check-valves 99 preventing a back flow. Bothupper and lower pistons 60 are shown, each in a position approximatelyhalfway up the cylinder. The bearing pins 63 are shown, connecting eachpiston 60 to the curved power track 80 formed by the adjacent powersleeves 70. The power sleeves are greeted on their outer faces bybearings 73, which aid in holding the power sleeves in place, and thuspreserving curved power track 80. Outside of bearings 73 are bearingseals 75, which seal off the power sleeves and bearings from theoutside, thus excluding contaminants and preserving lubricant. Theentire assembly is typically lubricated by a charge of lubricating oil,which circulates via ports between the cylinder walls, pistons,bearings, power sleeves, and crankshaft.

FIG. 5 introduces an exploded view of the preferred embodiment 100 ofthe current invention. At either end are the two unit halves 10 of thecylinder block. Shown on the right side block is the outer face of oneblock unit half 10, as it appears in earlier figures. Displayed on theleft side unit block half is the inner face 17, which faces the interiorof the current invention.

The pistons 60 that normally reside within cylinders 8 are shown inexploded view in this figure. The pistons are in approximately thearrangement they will hold when in position within the cylinders. Eachpiston has a bearing pin 63 which is disposed at right angles to thepiston, and intersects the piston at the midsection, in between thepiston heads 61. Each bearing pin 63 has a top bearing ring 65, tosecure the pin on one side of the piston, and a pair of bearing pins 67on the opposite side of the piston.

Also shown in FIG. 5 is the power train 200 of the current invention. Insimplified, assembled form, the power train comprises a pair of powerbearing assemblies 300 separated by a curved power track 80, andsurrounding a crankshaft 30.

It can be seen from this exploded view, in combination with the views ofearlier figures, especially FIGS. 4A and 4B, how the pistons 60 connectwith the power train 200 to transmit power to the crankshaft. Thepistons are connected by bearing pins 63, which culminate in a pair ofbearing rings 67. This pair of rings can fit inside curved power track80, or be disposed with one ring inside and one just outside the track.This secures the connection to the power train, as the curve iscomprised by power sleeves 70, which are themselves connected to (orintegrally part of) crankshaft 30.

Now moving to FIG. 6, a piston and bearing pin assembly is displayed inexploded view. The piston 60 is comprised of two large piston heads 61,and a thin central body 62, with an aperture 64 at its midpoint. Thepiston heads 61 are oval in cross section, and are designed to fitclosely within a cylinder 8. Piston heads 61 are circumscribed bygrooves 66 for lubricating oil.

Bearing pin 63 is designed to closely fit within piston midpointaperture 64. Each piston has one associated bearing pin 63, one upperbearing ring 65, and two lower bearing rings 67. The upper bearing ring65 prevents pin 63 from escaping the piston 60 at one end. The lowerpair of bearing rings 67 connect the bearing pin 63 to curved powertrack 80, and secure the bearing pin 63 thereto.

FIG. 7 illustrates the completed piston and bearing pin assembly 600from a side view. The piston 60 is shown to be symmetrical in shape,with dual piston heads 61. Piston 60 is intersected at a right angle bybearing pin 63. Pin 63 has bearing ring 65 secured at its top end, and apair of bearing rings 67 secured at its bottom end. It should be notedthat bearing rings 67 could be identical with bearing ring 65, exceptfor their association as a pair, and their function to connect pin 63 tothe curved power track 80.

FIG. 8 shows the same completed piston and bearing pin assembly 600 froma view 90 rotated from FIG. 7. This view is from the direction of thepower train 200.

FIG. 9 displays the power train assembly 200 in exploded view. Thebilateral symmetry of the power train is evident, as indeed is reflectedin the same symmetry of the invention 100 as a whole. The elements ofpower train 200 are shown, starting with crankshaft 30, which contains apair of mounting brackets 35 on either end of the midpoint. Thesemounting brackets 35 are each fastened to the inner face of a powersleeve 70. This disposes the power sleeves in the correct relationshipto establish curved power track 80.

Power sleeves 70 are connected at their respective outer faces tobearings 73. These help distribute the weight and load of the powertrain. At the other, outer sides of bearings 73 are placed seals 75. Asnoted above, the seals prevent outer contamination and seal the powertrain off from the outside, excepting crankshaft 30, which communicatesto a drive train for powering a vehicle or motor, perhaps, or foraccepting power from an external source.

When the current invention operates as an internal combustion engine, itwill include fuel injection means at intake ports of each cylinder forthe delivery of a fuel to open ends of said cylinder elements as theyrotate. Also, there will be means for initiating ignition of said airfuel mixture after it is compressed within said cylinder element, suchas a spark ply appurtenant to each cylinder. Additionally, there will bean exhaust manifold communicating with each of a set of outlet ports oneach cylinder, for receiving combustion products from said cylinderelements during the exhaust stroke of said pistons.

FIG. 10 illustrates the completed power train assembly 200 from a sideview. Curved power track 80 is clearly shown at the center of thefigure, bowed to the right in this view. The elements of the crankshaft30, power sleeves 70, bearings 73, and seals 75 are displayed.

FIG. 11 shows the same completed power train assembly 200 from a view 90degrees rotated from FIG. 10. This view shows the curved power track 80bowed to the left, and illustrates the up-and-down sinusoidal-likemotion of curved power track 80. This is necessary, as the track mustmeet up with itself on completing the circumference of the power train.

A paired piston embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS.12-15. FIG. 12 shows an embodiment of the present invention havingparallel coupled pistons according to the present invention. FIG. 13shows a perspective view of one of the parallel coupled pistonsaccording to the present invention. FIG. 14 shows a side view of asingle parallel coupled pistons according to the present invention inrelationship to a crankshaft and one end of the stationary blockcontaining cylinders. FIG. 15 shows a top view of the single parallelcoupled pistons according to the present invention in relationship tothe crankshaft and one end of the stationary block containing cylinders.

The embodiment of FIGS. 12-15 includes piston assemblies 60′ comprisingparallel pairs (or larger groups) of coupled round pistons heads 61′replacing the oval piston heads 60 described above. The oval pistonheads 60 limited or prevented the rotation of the pistons 60, whichrotation results in miss-alignment of the bearing rings (or canfollowers) 65 with the power sleeves 70. However, sealing oval pistonsis more difficult than sealing round pistons. The parallel coupled (sideby side) piston heads 61′ limit or prevent rotation of the pistonassemblies 60′ as means of steering the cam followers (rollers) 65′ (seeFIG. 14) without adding any additional mechanism. The cam followers 65′reside on cam follower pins (or spindles) 63 reaching radially inwardfrom yokes 69 of each of the parallel paired piston assemblies 60′. Thecam follower pins 63 are supported at inner ends by bridges 71 providinga load path across both cam follower pins 63, allowing for smaller camfollower pins and a more compact mechanism.

The paired pistons further provide a path for carrying a flow beingpumped from cylinder to cylinder (cylinders on opposite ends of themachine) without having to be plumbed out side of the cylinders oroutside of the machine. The flow may also be carried to cylinders sideby side by a path through the yoke to an adjacent coupled piston.

The cylinders and pistons associated with a particular yoke may be ofdifferent diameters to function as a compound compressor and the yokesmay be constructed to couple any number of pistons in any parallelarrangement. The inertial forces associated with the reciprocatingmotions of the pistons may be utilized to enhance the operations of anyof various valve mechanisms contained within the pistons.

The embodiment of FIGS. 12-15 may be incorporated into an engine, apump, a combination engine and pump, and generally into any apparatusdisclosed in FIGS. 1-11, and any reciprocating device having groupedparallel pistons and pairs of cam followers riding in separate curvedtracks is intended to come within the scope of the present invention.

It should be noted, however, that curved power track 80, thoughnecessarily having a repeating path, can define a steeper or less steepcurve. The steeper the curve, the longer the piston 60 travel pathwithin cylinder 8, and thus the higher compression can be reached.However, the curved power track 80 is limited by the physical dimensionsof piston 60 and cylinder 8. Thus, larger and longer cylinders andpistons will be accommodated by steeper curved power tracks 80. Thesteepness of the curve is defined by the shape of the inner face 77 ofpower sleeves 70.

It will be understood that in the example set forth above, that thestroke and compression ratio can be increased by lengthening the curvedpower track 80 of the power train so that the output of air is at ahigher pressure than 160 pounds. The dimensions of the bore of thecylinder 8 and the dimensions of the pistons 60 can be increased toincrease the output of compressed air. Likewise, the size of the devicecan be increased and the number of cylinder elements and pistons may beincreased, for example from 4 to 8 cylinder elements. However, the pumpcan operate effectively with as few as two cylinder elements.

The apparatus described herein produces a highly efficient compressorand/or pump for compressing or moving fluids. It operates with a minimumof moving parts which can be manufactured at relatively low cost andreadily maintained. Also, the power device of the present invention isreadily converted to an internal combustion engine by merely removingthe external power source and providing fuel flow and ignition charge tothe cylinders.

As will be understood by those skilled in the art, various arrangementsother than those described in detail in the specification will occur tothose persons skilled in the art, which arrangements lie within thespirit and scope of the invention. It is, therefore, to be understoodthat the invention is to be limited only by the claims appended hereto.

While the invention herein disclosed has been described by means ofspecific embodiments and applications thereof, numerous modificationsand variations could be made thereto by those skilled in the art withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention set forth in the claims.

1. A rotary power device comprisisng: a stationary block having acentral axis; a plurality of axially oriented angularly spaced apartcylinders formed within said block; an axially disposed, rotatablecrankshaft supported by the stationary block; a power sleeve attached tothe rotatable crankshaft and rotating with the rotatable crankshaft;opposed curved tracks residing on the power sleeve; a plurality of dualheaded pistons including coupled pairs of parallel opposed piston headsslidingly supported in each of the axially oriented angularly spacedapart cylinders; cam follower pins supported by each of the dual headedpistons, the cam follower pins extending radially inwardly; pairs ofoffset cam followers rotatably carried by the cam follower pin, each ofthe cam followers riding on only one of the opposed curved tracks sothat as the curved tracks rotates with respect to said block, the pistonheads reciprocate in the cylinders as said cam followers ride on saidcurved tracks.
 2. The power train assembly of claim 1, wherein thepiston heads comprise round piston heads.
 3. The power train assembly ofclaim 1, wherein the cam follower pins comprise pairs of axially spacedapart cam follower pins, one can follower rotatably residing on each camfollower pin.
 4. The power train assembly of claim 1, wherein inner endsof the pairs of cam follower pins are joined by a cam follower pinsupport block.
 5. A rotary power device (100) having a stationary block(10) having a central axis (101), said block (10) supporting an axiallydisposed, rotatable crankshaft (30), a plurality of axially orientedangularly spaced apart cylinders (8) formed within said block (10), saidrotatable crankshaft (30) supporting a curved track (80), a plurality ofdual headed pistons (60) slidingly supported in each of said axiallyoriented spaced cylinders (8), each piston (60) supporting a camfollower pin (63) which extends radially inwardly and terminating in acam follower member (67) riding in said curved track (80) so that as thecurved track (80) rotates with respect to said block (10), the pistons(60) oscillate in the cylinders (8) as said cam follower members (67)ride in said curved track (80) wherein the improvement of said powertrain assembly comprising: coupled pairs of parallel opposed pistonheads 61′ slidingly supported in each of the axially oriented angularlyspaced apart cylinders (8), wherein: the curved track (80) being formedby two adjacent separate opposing power sleeves (70); one/each of saidtwo power sleeves has a hollow cylindrical body portion (81) spaced fromsaid rotatable crankshaft (30) and is secured to said rotatablecrankshaft on an inner surface of a power sleeve (70) on an outersurface of one of a pair of mounting brackets (35) which are axially androtationally fixed to said rotatable crankshaft; and wherein saidone/each of the power sleeves (70) forms one half of said curved track(80).